I was lucky enough to race professionally for nearly 30 years and the veterans always worried about the younger, more experienced drivers making a move like Rossi did. You never had to worry about it from the veterans. Yeah, Yeah, marbles, curbing and all that, surely a real pro would recognize the risk and not try that move, it's a wonder that both cars weren't torn up. The curb and the marbles were there all day.

You don't leave the door open very far, just enough to make trying to do what Rossi did look like a very bad idea. The problem (normally) is that the younger, more inexperienced drivers seem to have trouble making that distinction. The veteran will approach on the higher line and attempt to cross over on the corner exit.

Paul Tracy's take on the end of the race: "... in reality, it looks like he (Wickens) didn't get a great restart, didn't protect the inside, left the door wide open, and I can see it from Rossi's perspective. If it was me, I would have drove it down the f*****g inside as well. You could've driven a Mack truck through there. I would have been disappointed in Rossi if he didn't go for it. Rossi went for it, ultimately, they banged wheel to wheel, and he hip-checked Wickens out of the way. But the door was left open and that's what racing is."

The appeal of street races is that they happen in urban areas where local businesses (restaurants, hotels...) benefit from fans spending money.

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That's the theory. But just for fun, make a list of all the U.S. cities that have successfully executed that strategy over the long term. Long Beach. St. Pete. Detroit. Who am I missing?

Now compare that with a list of all the U.S. cities that tried street racing and saw it fail pretty quickly.

Off the top of my head...Phoenix a couple times, Vegas how many times? Dallas...Houston...Denver...Baltimore...Washington DC...DesMoines...Columbus...San Jose...Meadowlands...Miami...those with better memories than me, feel free to chip in.

That's the theory. But just for fun, make a list of all the U.S. cities that have successfully executed that strategy over the long term. Long Beach. St. Pete. Detroit. Who am I missing?

Now compare that with a list of all the U.S. cities that tried street racing and saw it fail pretty quickly.

Off the top of my head...Phoenix a couple times, Vegas how many times? Dallas...Houston...Denver...Baltimore...Washington DC...DesMoines...Columbus...San Jose...Meadowlands...Miami...those with better memories than me, feel free to chip in.

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Well I didn't say it always worked out. There is a lot of cost to and disruption of a city to put on a street race.
I would add (internationally) Montreal, Toronto, Belle Isle, Adelaide, Circuit Trois-Rivières, & Monaco. Some of these street races are run through city parks which make them less disruptive.

The attraction to urban businesses is the only reason for street circuits that I can think of. If you have another reason why they are held I am willing to listen.

That's the theory. But just for fun, make a list of all the U.S. cities that have successfully executed that strategy over the long term. Long Beach. St. Pete. Detroit. Who am I missing?

Now compare that with a list of all the U.S. cities that tried street racing and saw it fail pretty quickly.

Off the top of my head...Phoenix a couple times, Vegas how many times? Dallas...Houston...Denver...Baltimore...Washington DC...DesMoines...Columbus...San Jose...Meadowlands...Miami...those with better memories than me, feel free to chip in.

The attraction to urban businesses is the only reason for street circuits that I can think of. If you have another reason why they are held I am willing to listen.

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I think you're spot-on MotoChuck...as noted in your earlier post, the attraction is certainly NOT the opportunity to create a great race track. My point in listing all the failed street races is simply to point out how many city councils have been taken in by some slick talking promoter with an impressive economic impact projection. In the end, the odds are heavily stacked against the success of any new street race. The most likely outcome is a dissatisfied city...and a sh%#y race track.

Paul Tracy's take on the end of the race: "... in reality, it looks like he (Wickens) didn't get a great restart, didn't protect the inside, left the door wide open, and I can see it from Rossi's perspective. If it was me, I would have drove it down the f*****g inside as well. You could've driven a Mack truck through there. I would have been disappointed in Rossi if he didn't go for it. Rossi went for it, ultimately, they banged wheel to wheel, and he hip-checked Wickens out of the way. But the door was left open and that's what racing is."

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Wickens had his worst restart at the worst time, he should pinched Rossi all the way to the corner or flat out slammed the door shut because 2 laps to go isn't the time to be nice.

Wickens had his worst restart at the worst time, he should pinched Rossi all the way to the corner or flat out slammed the door shut because 2 laps to go isn't the time to be nice.

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That is kind of my take. Wickens screwed up by letting Rossi up fully beside him by the time they reached the apex of the turn. If you leave the door open like that you have to expect someone will try a move on you even if it is a low percentage move. No veteran in Wickens place would have given Rossi that opportunity.

Wickens showed some real talent all weekend he also hopefully learned a valuable lesson for future use. In his interview he said that he and Rossi were friends and trained together and would probably talk about the move at some point. Would hope that it was a learning experience for both.

That is kind of my take. Wickens screwed up by letting Rossi up fully beside him by the time they reached the apex of the turn. If you leave the door open like that you have to expect someone will try a move on you even if it is a low percentage move. No veteran in Wickens place would have given Rossi that opportunity.

Wickens showed some real talent all weekend he also hopefully learned a valuable lesson for future use. In his interview he said that he and Rossi were friends and trained together and would probably talk about the move at some point. Would hope that it was a learning experience for both.

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Yeah definitely a learning moment for sure, doubt he will do that again.

Big picture that race is what IndyCar needs with a rookie almost winning it and kept you on edge right to the end, oh yeah penske having a bad day was just frosting on the cake.